In 1980, Gacy was sentenced to death and transferred to Menard Correctional Center. Here he took up oil painting. One of his favorite subjects was clowns. Many of Gacy’s images are innocuous, yet they highlight issues of Art Brut and Outsider Art. He sold some paintings and paid for a number of appeals. His lawyer served as a sort of gallerist for Gacy, purchasing his paintings, then re-selling them. After 14 years of appeals, Gacy was executed by lethal injection on May 10, 1994.

(CNN) -- A Las Vegas art coordinator's planned charity sale of serial killer John Wayne Gacy's paintings is under fire from the very crime victims group that is supposed to benefit from the proceeds.The National Center for Victims of Crime is demanding that its name not be associated with the exhibit, entitled "Multiples: The Artwork of John Wayne Gacy," saying it did not agree to be a beneficiary of the sale.In a written statement Thursday to CNN affiliate KTNV, the crime victims group said it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the gallery owner.Since word spread that Gacy's work would be displayed at the Arts Factory beginning this month through September, the event has been surprisingly controversial in a city where very little surprises.Westly Myles, the owner of the Arts Factory, said he opted to coordinate the show because he believed Gacy's work would provoke discussion and provide financial help to those who have been hurt by crime."People can think what they like, I see it as an opportunity to help from something that was bad," Myles said.Gacy was convicted of raping and killing 33 boys and young men during a six-year span that culminated with his capture in 1978. Most of his victims were buried in and around his home.He was dubbed "the Killer Clown" because he often performed as "Pogo the Clown" at events for children.While awaiting execution, Gacy began painting. After his execution in 1994, his attorney auctioned off his artwork. Some of it was purchased and destroyed in a bonfire attended by 300 people, including some family members of Gacy's victims. Gacy's paintings have often generated controversy in galleries across the nation. "Multiples: The Artwork of John Wayne Gacy," is meant to reflect the multiple aspects of his life, according to johnwaynegacyart.com, a website set up to promote the show."We are familiar with multiple aspects of Gacy's story. He worked multiple jobs, lived multiple lives and committed multiple crimes," the site said. "What we are unfamiliar with is the art Gacy created while awaiting execution: multiple paintings."Seventy-four pieces will be put up for sale at the Las Vegas exhibition. They include pencil drawings and audio recordings, and paintings of skulls, clowns and the seven dwarves from the Snow White fairy tale.Included among the collection is an oil painting entitled "Dahmer Skull," which is priced at $2,000 and was inspired by serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, and an oil painting of Charles Manson which is priced at $4,000.But perhaps the most controversial piece is a self-portrait entitled "Goodbye Pogos" listed at $4,500.Myles said the proceeds would be divided evenly among the charities. If the crime victims group doesn't want the money, Myles said he would find another organization to donate the proceeds. Meanwhile, two other organizations named as beneficiaries of the sale say they are reconsidering accepting the money.

31 comments:

Evidently, Gacy sold many photos while on death row, and used the proceeds to finance 14 years worth of appeals.His lawyer made the sales for him.

The interesting twist, is that evidently, one guy bought the majority of the photos... and held a public bon-fire and burned them all... with 300 people in attendance!Many of the attendees were family members of the victims.I'm kinda glad that happened actually... screw Gacy, and his paintings.

When you get into these weird people, there's always an interesting underlying story.

Evidently, Gacy would paint several copies, of the same image... like an assembly line.If you go to the gallery link... you'll see what I mean.That's why they're calling his exhibit "multiples", or some shit like that. LOL

I have to wonder why folks would be willing to pay so much money for these paintings.I mean... I understand the "infamy" connection, the notoriety connection, and all that... but still... we're talking thousands of dollars here.I think they should all be burned, just on principle alone.Evidently, there's at least 300 other folks out there, who agree with me. LOLOL

With so many good charity options availble to spend money on, it sucks that anyone would want to blow money on something produced by such a scumbag which words i can't even spell to describe as this guy.Not sure i made sense here, hopefully you know what mean !

Katie, I just read your comments over at the col's site about the Mr Stubbs murder. You're right on as usual. Charlie had no influence on those kids cause Tex killed him. lol. Those kids didnt stand a chance hanging around Charlie, he was a pro. Of course it wasn't brain washing or hypnotism. Just plain con artist against vulnerable youths.

You're right. I've been reading about Charlie for 42 years, and I know that there was nothing that happened in that family that Charlie didn't know about. And if anybody wants to say otherwise, they don't know this case.

This "lawyer" has the facts all wrong.

Mr. Stubbs said that 2 men and 2 women accosted him.

This lawyer is a joke. He's making up his own story here to clear Charlie, which is bullshit. He'll never get out. I don't care who the governor is. This lawyer must be running out of money. He's about as credible as that "man-woman" who is claiming to be Charlie's daughter. HA HA.

It's so easy in 1970 for someone to see Tex on TV and say "oh that's the guy".

Hell, that same accusation about 100's of murders that took place in 1968/1969 happened back then. I remember, I was there. What a joke!!

It's an easy way to close the books on an unsolved murder, that nobody tried to solve in the first place.

“Charlie had no influence on those kids...”? “Just plain con artist against vulnerable youths.”?

“bobby,” you underestimate Charlie. He wasn’t a garden-variety con artist on the street corner brandishing a wad of dollar bills (mostly $1's), attempting to lure passersby into a pigeon drop. Two years prior to his release from prison he was the king of Spahn Ranch, with a flock of adoring women gladly rummaging through grocery store dumpsters for food, and a thriving stolen auto parts workshop! His inborn personality together with his years in prison enabled him to hone his con-artistry into an art form.

>>>Ahcapella said: “bobby,” you underestimate Charlie. He wasn’t a garden-variety con artist on the street corner brandishing a wad of dollar bills (mostly $1's), attempting to lure passersby into a pigeon drop. Two years prior to his release from prison he was the king of Spahn Ranch, with a flock of adoring women gladly rummaging through grocery store dumpsters for food, and a thriving stolen auto parts workshop! Aaah, a break from this lunacy.>>

Life at Spahn's Ranch. The every day. Diving into dumpsters. (the same dumpsters owned by future murder victims). The stolen auto parts for the crummy run-down vehicles.

Yes Charlie was bred for the control-freak life he lead later on. Just like Liz.

He learned all that in prison. All the control methods.

>>His inborn personality together with his years in prison enabled him to hone his con-artistry into an art form.>>>

Ahcappel, You are right. i understated his abilities. I also didnt describe the kids to well either. They couldnt have understood a con like Charlie. Unless you had spent hard prison time how could you. He still folls people today.

I couldn't stand reading anything on Dahmer and Gacy. They were just a couple of depraved fags who lived in houses that smelled of stinking, rotting odors from decomposing bodies. The pic with Gacy and Rosalyn Carter was disgusting. I think that was the topper that finally led me away from voting for the democratic party.

Poirot said>>>>"I couldn't stand reading anything on Dahmer and Gacy. They were just a couple of depraved fags who lived in houses that smelled of stinking, rotting odors from decomposing bodies. The pic with Gacy and Rosalyn Carter was disgusting. I think that was the topper that finally led me away from voting for the democratic party".

Depraved is a good description Poirot.My knowledge of those two freaks, is quite limited... but one only needs to scratch the surface, to be completely revolted.You've got that right!You have great posts Poirot.You express your opinions very candidly! LOL

hey ahca, lynyrd, katie, Poirot! when my refrigerator died permanently, i found out how unendurable the odor of decaying meat can be. i've never understood how gacy was able to develop a tolerance to that!

poirot, i saw that same picture of gacy and rosalynn carter.

'Gacy became active in his local community activity and projects, including entertaining at picnics and parties as a clown and volunteering to clean the township Democratic party office where he offered the labor services of his PDM employees free of charge.'

gosh, what a swell guy. certainly not the only clown associated with the democratic party, lol.

>>Mr. P said: couldn't stand reading anything on Dahmer and Gacy. They were just a couple of depraved fags who lived in houses that smelled of stinking, rotting odors from decomposing bodies. The pic with Gacy and Rosalyn Carter was disgusting. I think that was the topper that finally led me away from voting for the democratic party.>>>

Mr. P, I couldn't have said it better. I couldn't even finish reading about John Gacy. It was just too nauseating to comprehend. These 2 weren't even human. They're both good examples of why we have the death penalty.

>>>Bedpan said: hey ahca, lynyrd, katie, Poirot! when my refrigerator died permanently, i found out how unendurable the odor of decaying meat can be. i've never understood how gacy was able to develop a tolerance to that!>>>

Isn't that the truth!!! There's no mistaking that smell. Almost as bad (or maybe as bad) as a skunk odor, which never really goes away!!

>>gosh, what a swell guy. certainly not the only clown associated with the democratic party, lol.>>

HA HA HA. Jimmy Carter was just one of the democratic clowns to serve this country.

Katie believes the woman who recently came forth, and said she's Manson's daughter, looks like a man.That sentiment has been echoed several times, on several blogs, by several people... so, it's not just Katie, who feels that way.I don't think that makes her any more homophobic than anyone else.

I hope that answer is sufficient for you.If you're here to legitimately discuss the case with the group... then welcome aboard... and nice to meet you.If you're here to start trouble... which this post strongly suggests... please leave.

Hello Beauders.I received your second massage, which will not be posted.The comments which offended you, were deleted by the author (Katie), over 24 hours ago, with no prompting from me.

Katie... in the future, please refrain from using words like "dyke" and "lesbo".You're insulting an entire group, beyond your intended target... and there's tons of other fabulous insults to choose from... which aren't so prejudice. Katie... I just don't need this crap.

As for me Beauders... I've had many gay friends, primarily at work... both male and female.I really don't care what someone's sexual preferences are, as long as they treat me well.What folks do on their own time, is none of my concern, or business.And Beauders... I agree with you, there's no need to "go there".If I make a joke... it's just a joke... nothing more, nothing less.

I hope this is sufficient for you Beauders... 'cuz, I'm officially done with this subject.And I mean...stick a fork in me done.

In spite of what you might think of Gacy, the fact remains that there are folks that collect his paintings. My guess is there will always be a demand for what is a fixed supply of those paintings. And, as such, their value should only increase over time. If someone were to snag a good chunk of what's left and destroy them, that should drive up the value of the remaining paintings significantly. Therefore, they might be a good investment, if you can stomach having one hanging on your wall or lurking in a safety deposit box. Hmm, maybe I might pop for one!

Evidently, as much as I hate to think so, these paintings do command considerable money, and therefore, their values will likely increase as time passes, and numbers diminish.Those facts don't speak well of our society at all... in fact, it's kinda nauseating... but, your point(s) are hard to argue none-the-less.

john wayne gacy was an absolute pig actually pig is too good to describe him he was a monster. in the 90's i became with a murderabilia dealer who specialized in autographs. he told that at one point he spoke to gacy and asked him what he was doing and gacy replied "oh i was laying on my bed playing with myself thinking of boys. it is people like him who make me believe in the death penalty, and thank goodness illinois did execute him.

FRIENDS

"Charlie Manson is a five foot seven schizophrenic, who if it weren't for the murder of Sharon Tate, would never be known or discussed. And I'm not saying he isn't funny and entertaining. I'm saying he's a dime a dozen criminal-class punk, who had the good fortune of running into some middle class pseudo-revolutionary white girls." -- Tom G

"The simple and undeniable truth, is that Charlie and the gang were/are the biggest idiots, morons and imbeciles on the planet." -- Leary7

"Them fucking fruitcakes could not pour piss out of a boot, with the bottom written on it."--Harold True